Building structure



Jan. 12, 1943. A. c. OLSEN BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed Oct. 13, 1941 Patented Jan. 12, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,307,899 BUILDING STRUCTURE Anders 0. Olsen, Forest Hills, N. Y.

Application October 13, 1941, Serial No. 414,874

12 Claims.

This invention relates to building structures and particularly to wall and ceiling constructions.

In the interior construction of modern buildings, the use of both wooden laths and metal lathing of various types is being rapidly superseded by the employment of panelling,-such as panelling composed of plaster board known as gypsum lath, and of relatively soft and porous fiberboard known as insulating lath,-as a base for the application of the plaster to the wall and ceiling surfaces of the rooms. Such panelling lath has been found superior to the old wood lathing in ease of installation, in the elimination of excess plaster, and in permanence and durability.

Thus, where wooden framing is employed, a more fire-retarding construction may be ensured by the application of gypsum lath or panelling, before applying the plaster to the interior walls and ceilings of such structures. With panelling which consists of fiberboard of the character described, a desired degree of heat insulation is obtained.

In order to make the use of this panelling or lathing more convenient, economical, and permanent, the present invention contemplates the provision of certain novel and improved joints and connections between thepanels or laths of the wall or other surfaces of the room, whether or not the adjacent margins of the panels or laths meet at a stud, joist, or other part of the framing.

More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide a novel clip or securing element which is adapted to engage the adjacent margins of the panelling or lathing and to firmly, but resiliently hold them in position and also provide means for attaching the panelling structure either to a Wood or metal supporting framework of a room. The clips are resilient and are adapted to provide a full-floating structure permitting certain relative movement of the lathing with relation to the studding or other framework so as to reduce the liability of the subsequently applied plaster to crack. With this floating or non-rigid securing feature, the joists or studs are free to shrink, warp, or twist without setting up any strains in the lathing which would give rise to the formation of cracks in the plaster.

As already suggested, the novel clip element forming the present invention can be utilized for attaching the adjacent margins of laths or panels to the studs and as a full-floating connector clip between studs where the end or side margins of the laths or panels may abut. The

latter feature of this type of clip has the advan tage of permitting the use of odd lengths of panelling or lathing with a consequent reduction in waste. Another advantage of this clip resides in the maintenance of the lathing or panelling out of contact with the framing except at spaced points, thus reducing the transmission of sound through ceilings and partitions.

Other objects and features of novelty will be apparent from the following specification when read in connection with the accompanying drawing in which certain embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in elevation of a joint or connection between panels or laths which is efiected by one of the clips provided by the present invention; the stud which is disposed in front of the joint being broken away to show the central portion of the clip;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view through the structure shown in Figure 1, the upper panel or lath being removed;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the application of the clip to a metal chann stud;

Figure 4 is a sectional View, similar to Figure 2, of thestructure shown in Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a view in elevation showing the application of the, clip in effecting the joint or connection for panels or laths, which occurs between studs or joists.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing, a pair of adjacent panels, which may be gypsum lath, fiber insulating lath or other panelling lath, are indicated at It and i2, these panels being applied to the wood stud l4 forming a part of the framing of the room. The attachment of the panels to the stud I4 is attained by means of the resilient clip designated generally by the numeral I5, this clip preferably being formed of fairly rigid wire so as to lend permanent support to the panelling or lathing while effecting a resilient connection for the purposes described. The central portion of the clip I5 is provided with relatively wide, open loops or bights 5 which are provided withv elongated legs I! which are substantially parallel to each other and extend across and beyond the median line of the clip where they are joined by a narrower return bend portion l8 which is, in this instance, somewhat narrower than the bights it. The legs I? form between them a slot It. The opposite legs 2| of the loops or bights 16 extend to the median line of the clip, merging with the arms 22 which.

extend outwardly in opposite directions toward the ends of the clip to form flat closed loop portions 24. These loop portions 24 form oppositely disposed wings indicated at 25 and 26. By forming both of the loop portions 2 from the same side of the clip median line, as shown, the free loop ends 21 both terminate on the opposite side of the median line. However, by alternating the beginning point of the loop formation, the free loop ends 21 will terminate on opposite sides of the median line, thus distributing the resilient bearing pressure of the loop portions 24, when .engaged in operative position.

It is thus readily seen that the clip substantially comprises an elongated resilient member having lateral extensions in both directions at their ends and at an intermediate point.

In applying the clip to the joint or connection illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing, the panel It] will have been placed in position adjacent the stud; then the clip is slipped over the upper margin of the panel II], the bend l8 being disposed between the panel and the stud M, and the wings 26 of the end loops 2 being disposed upon the outside surfaces of themargins of the panel Hi. This will, of course, flex the arms 22 of the clip into the angular position shown in Figure 2. It should be noted that the flexible character of the clip arms permits a considerable range of angular bending configuration therein, responsive to the spread-- ing force exerted by inserting the marginal edge of a panel or lath between the wings and theintermediate loops of the clip l5. Hence, this flexibility enables the use of the clip with panelsor laths ranging in thickness from /1 to 1",.

In order to securely position the clip on the stud, a nail 20 is inserted through the central portion of the slot 19 between the legs I! and. driven into the stud just above the edge of the panel It so that the nail head bears down on. the legs [7. Then the upper panel I2 is applied, the lower edges thereof being inserted behind the upper wings 25 of the end loops 24, and with. the loops or bends I6 disposed between the panel. and the stud. Both of the panels or laths 1!} and I2 are thus resiliently connected with each other and with the stud Hi, any necessary relative movement between these parts bein p rmitted to the extent required.

Another embodiment of the invention is illusstrated in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawing, and. this arrangement involves the use of a metal. stud, being of a channel shape in the illustrated.

embodiment. The panels l9 and i2 are adapted. I

to be disposed in the same relationship as in. the embodiment previously described, but in this. case they are adapted to abut the surface of thestud I l. The clip it in this modification is flexed to a somewhat greater degree than in the:

case of the first embodiment since the central portion of the clip including the loops [6 and. the bend I8 is adapted to pass around the stud. and to bear against the rear surface thereof.. As in the first case described, the Wings 25 of the looped ends 24 are disposed against the front surface of the marginal portion of the panel Ill with the arms 22 disposed at a greater angularity with respect to the planes of central and end portions than in the other case. Also, the legs 2! of the looped portions It may be bent outwardly toward the panel at a considerableangle as shown in Figure 4 of the drawing. In. this application of the clip to-a metal stud, the.-

full-floating featur of the invention is also obtained, the clip being resiliently positioned over the stud, thus permitting movement of the lathing relative to the stud. Although the stud illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 is positioned so that the panelling and intermediate loops of the clip bear up against the opposite legs of the stud, it is to be understood that the same panelling construction may be employed in like manner when the stud is positioned at right angles to the position shown in Figures 3 and 4, with the intermediate loops of the clip passing around and bearing against the base of the stud.

As previously indicated, the clip l5 may be employed to connect adjacent panels at points intermediate the framing elements such as the studs and joists, and it will be obvious that the panels I0 and 12 in Figure 1 of the drawing would be resiliently connected by means of the clip [5 at such points intermediate the framing elements. Thus it is seen that odd lengths of panel or lath may be used since a dependable, full-floating, resilient joint or connection can be effected between adjacent panels, even though their odd lengths are such as to prevent them meeting at or on a part of the framework.

In Figure 5 there is illustrated a connection between three panels indicated at 39, 3!, and 32, at a point intermediate framing elements, the abutting panels 3| and 32 being disposed above the lower panels 30. In this case the wings of the looped ends 24 of the clip are disposed so as to bear upon the adjacent marginal surfaces of the panels 39 and 3i, and 30 and 32 respectively, upon one side of the covering structure, and. the loops or bends I6 bear respectively upon the adjacent marginal portions of the panels 3i and 32 upon the opposite side of the structure, the bend l8 bearing upon the marginal surface of panel 35 upon that same side.

It will be readily seen that by the provision of the staggered loop portions adjacent the midportion of the clip three panel edges may be effectively gripped, and through the cooperation of the end loops 24 an efficient resilient connection provided between the panels where the clip itself may be secured to a stud or other framing element or may be used at a point intermediate the framing elements.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the embodiments illustrated and described herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In an interior construction for buildings, in

combination, adjacent plastering lath panels of a wall or ceiling structure, and wire clips, each of saidclips having enlarged end portions bearing against the marginal surfaces of said panels upon one side of the structure at spaced points, and an enlarged intermediate portion bearing upon the marginal surfaces of the panels upon the opposite side thereof at points between the first named points.

2. In an interior construction for buildings, in combination, adjacent plastering lath panels comprising portions of a wall or ceiling structure supported by the framing of the interior construction, and connecting clips, each of said clips having oppositely disposed wings at the ends thereof and also at the central portion thereof, both of the end wings being disposed so as to bear upon A the marginal portions of said adjacent panels at one side of the structure, and the centrally disposed wings being disposed so as to bear upon said marginal portions at the opposite side of the structure.

3. In an interior construction for buildings, in combination, adjacent plastering lath panels comprising portions of a wall or ceiling structure supported by the framing of the interior construction, connecting clips, each of said clips having oppositely disposed wings at the ends thereof and also at the central portion thereof, both of the end wings being disposed so as to bear upon the marginal portions of said adjacent panels at one side of the structure, and the centrally disposed wings being disposed so as to bear upon said marginal portions at the opposite side of the structure, and means for securing said clip to a portion of said framing.

4. In an interior construction for buildings, in combination, adjacent plastering lath panels comprising portions of a wall or ceiling structure supported by the framing of the interior construction, and resilient wire connecting clips, each of said clips having oppositely projecting portions at each end thereof disposed upon one side of the panels and engaging marginal portions thereof, and oppositely projecting portions at an intermediate part of the clip disposed upon the opposite side of the marginal portions of the panels, the central portion of each clip engaging an element of said framing.

5. In an interior construction for buildings, in combination, a plastering lath panelling structure supported by the framing of the interior construction, said structure including three panels, two of which have two adjoining edges and both having other edges which are aligned and which adjoin an edge of the third panel, and clips attaching said panels together, each said clip comprising a resilient member provided with three pairs of wings, one pair disposed respectively at each of its ends and extending in opposite directions, and the third pair located at an intermediate point, the wings at one end of the clip extending across the marginal portions of the third panel and one of the first two panels and bearing upon one surface thereof, the wings at the opposite end performing the same function with respect to the third panel and the other one of the first two panels, one of the central wings bearing upon the marginal portion of the third panel on the opposite surface thereof and the other of the central wings bridging the junction of the first two panel edges and bearing upon the marginal portions thereof upon the same side as the first named central wing.

6. In an interior construction for buildings, in combination, a plastering lath panelling structure supported by the framing of the interior construction, said structure including three panels, two of which have two adjoining edges and both having other edges which are aligned and which adjoin an edge of the third panel, clips attaching each said panels together, said clips each comprising a resilient member provided with one pair of wings disposed respectively at each of the ends of the clip and extending in opposite directions, the Wings at one end of the clip extending across the marginal portions of the third panel and one of the first two panels and bearing upon one surface thereof, the wings at the opposite end performing the same function with respect to the third panel and the other one of the first two panels, and an intermediate set of three wings, one of said intermediate wings extending in one direction and bearing on the marginal portion of the third panel on the opposite surface thereof from that engaged by the end Wings, and the other two intermediate wings being disposed side by side and extending in the opposite direction and bearing respectively upon the marginal portions of the adjoining first two panels upon the same side as the first named intermediate wing.

'7. As an article of manufacture, a clip for use in making joints and connections between plastering lath panels, said clip comprising a somewhat resilient wire bent to provide adjacent each of its ends and at an intermediate point transversely extending wing portions all occupying subs-tantially the same plane, each of said wing portions having parts extending on opposite sides of the longitudinal median line of the clip.

8. As an article of manufacture, a clip for use in making joints and connections between plastering lath panels, said clip comprising a resilient wire bent to provide adjacent each of its ends and at an intermediate point laterally opposed projecting bight portions all occupying substantially the same plane and each extending for a substantial distance on opposite sides of the longitudinal median line of the clip.-

9. As an article of manufacture, a clip for use in making joints and connections between plastering lath panels, said clip comprising a resilient wire bent adjacent each of its ends to provide a wing, and at an intermediate point to provide oppositely projecting bights lying transversely on opposite sides of the parts of the wire connecting the wings with the bights, the wings and bight portions adapted, in the unstressed condition of the clip, to lie in substantially the same plane.

10. As an article of manufacture, a clip for use in making joints and connections between plastering lath panels, said clip comprising a resilient wire bent adjacent each of its ends to form closed and somewhat flattened loops, providing wings which extend transversely on opposite sides of the longitudinal median line of the clip, and bent at its intermediate portion to provide oppositely extending return bends, the loops and bends occupying the same or at least parallel planes.

11. As an article of manufacture, a clip for use in making joints and connections between plastering lath panels, said clip comprising a substantially flat elongated resilient member having transversely disposed wings extending in opposite directions from each of its ends and from an intermediate portion, all of the wings adapted to occupy substantially the same plane when the clip is in unstressed position, and the end wings adapted to occupy the same plane and the intermediate wings a parallel plane when the clip is applied to adjacent panel edges.

12. As an article of manufacture, a clip for use in making joints and connections between panels of plastering lath, said clip comprising a resilient wire bent to provide spaced terminal wings lying in a common plane, each of said wings having portions thereof extending transversely on opposite sides of the median line of the clip, the wire being return bent intermediate the terminal wings to provide a bight portion, said bight portion lying in a plane offset from, but substantially parallel to, the plane of the wings.

ANDERS C. OLSEN, 

